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Cologne / Germany

Just returned from a big garden store where I asked to display my 417 for their pumpkin exposition. Guess what they said? Too big. (??!!>>+#)
You offer the 7th biggest pumpkin in your country as a decoration FOR FREE and...
"Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience" (origin unknown)

10/10/2002 5:15:40 AM

Frankfurt, Germany

ROTFL! Floh, you told them, that it was the state record?
do you have a botanical garden in cologne or a zoo or something like this?

i could imaginge, a lot of children could get very happy to see the biggest pumpkin in a state history.... :-)

10/10/2002 8:27:11 AM

Edmonton, Canada

Some people don't know what's good for em!!!

10/10/2002 10:28:48 AM

Knopp, Germany

unbelievable Floh. guess we have quite a ways to go to really get the German Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Growers Association going! at any rate i saw it, touched it and enjoyed every minute. congrats to you and every grower in Germany.

10/10/2002 12:56:51 PM

Cologne / Germany

So this store belongs to a chain like Walmart. There´s another one a few miles away from me. Can you keep a secret? So that´s what I´m doing tomorrow:

They gave out 15.000 pumpkin seeds for free in March to encourage customers to bring in the "results" at the end of the season. I´m the little fool who tried one of these seeds...

"You take pumpkins for that exhibition you have?"
"Yes, just bring it outside where the other pumpkins are."
"Sorry, but I need a forklifter. It´s 417 lbs."
"I need to call the manager. That´s not prescribed in the regulations."
"No problem. I´ll wait here as you call him."
"But it can´t be that big, it´s too big."
"Don´t blame it on me, what kind of horror seeds did you take out in March?"

to be continued....

10/10/2002 3:55:56 PM

Tacoma, WA

Rolling on the floor laughing my *ss off!!

Stan

10/10/2002 5:06:01 PM

Key West, FL

lol, keep us informed floh

10/10/2002 5:56:29 PM

Deer Park WA

Save the seeds floh, and maybe you would like to trade this winter? Try calling the media they like to put BIG pumpkins on the weather segment as they talk about fall. Your story is truely hilarious! Super job and congradulations on your fruit this season!

The Gadberry's

10/11/2002 2:24:20 AM

Cologne / Germany

Well, I called the media but they didn´t even answer my email. When I asked again yesterday the newspaper editor said he was not interested and he didn´t believe the readers are....(???)
Never thought there would be that much ignorance in my country...but I´ll fool them today, for sure!

10/11/2002 6:59:15 AM

Knopp, Germany

keep on em Floh! one day....one day....

10/11/2002 11:11:28 AM

Don't give up Floh!! I am very new to all of this (haven't even grown ONE big pumpkin yet!)but it is people like you who will continue to "break ground" and educate the rest of us...and build a new enthusiasm in SO many newbies!

You still have many more avenues open to you...can you take out space (paid ad) in your local paper and run a picture and the info on the pumpkin, as well as it's awards?? I know we can do that here...and I think the editor that you dealt with would be VERY surprised just how many people really ARE interested!!!
How about garden centers??

Best of luck to you and congratulations on your pumpkin!
:-) Michele

10/11/2002 6:07:29 PM

Ooops....hit "post reply" too soon...that should say "other" garden centers....also, does your paper have a person who does any garden articles?? You might try contacting them personally with a photo and stats. We have a weekly section in our paper written by a local horticulturist and she is always very receptive to ideas.
Michele

10/11/2002 6:10:05 PM

Upstate NY

I had the same happen to me. I donated a 400 pounder to the school here in NY and they asked me if I could grow something smaller for next year! I told the lady the object was to grow them bigger! The store people told me there were three teenagers siting on it. I would have loved to see how thick the walls were!

10/12/2002 12:47:31 AM

Montoursville, PA

I'm looking about and promoting for next year. My Agway Garden Store is our largest garden center. I offered to deliver whatever on day after weigh in. To big! I was showing him three and four hundred pound fruit in our first book. Most here in North Central Pa. have never heard of such goings on.

10/12/2002 10:08:30 AM

Cologne / Germany

Thanks for your kind words! But today I had another experience - I went to that other garden store with some more open-minded people.
They were enthusiastic about my pumpkin, took that forkloader, emptied a corner in their greenhouse and placed it for everyone to see. All customers at that time were really happy to see something like that.
Well, it was a good day - some pics to add in my diary next saturday when they will give out 150 $ for the biggest and most Halloween like pumpkin each.
Let´s go on and grow em big!

10/12/2002 1:06:45 PM

Congratulations Floh!!! Your pumpkin just needed to find a place where it was appreciated by others :-)

Maybe after more people become exposed to GIANTS in your area (thanks to your pumpkin at the garden center) there will be MORE enthusiasm next year :-D
Michele

10/12/2002 9:37:35 PM